The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has announced the commissioning of a masterplan study for an urban sports facility at the Metropole site in Portrush. The study, beginning in August, will be carried out in partnership with the Causeway Association of Urban Sports (CAUS) and design firm Betongpark.

The Metropole Project aims to deliver a free-to-use outdoor space that includes a skate plaza, a multi-sport pump track, an off-road BMX facility, and flexible community areas. Council officials have described the plans as an integrated approach combining urban sports, landscape, and recreation infrastructure.

The project addresses a campaign that has run for more than three decades, according to the council. Previous attempts to provide a dedicated skatepark in the North Coast area did not proceed beyond advanced planning stages.

Betongpark will lead public consultation during August and September. The firm will engage with local residents, schools, community groups, and businesses to understand user needs. Concept designs will then be developed based on the feedback.

At the conclusion of the study, proposals will be presented to the council and CAUS for further decisions. The project is intended to strengthen community cohesion, improve youth recreation, and support Portrush's role as a tourism and recreation destination.